The Ranch

The Diamond 7 Bar Guest Ranch is a working cattle ranch that

welcomes guests for an authentic western vacation. We will customize your vacation to what you’re looking for, rather than giving you our schedule for the week, we can help you create one that fits your interests. If you want to learn what it takes to be a rancher, we’ll put you to work moving cattle, fixing fence and feeding animals. If the ranching’s a little more than you bargained for, we’d be happy to take you out for trail rides on horseback. We’ve got plenty of the more leisurely activities like; fishing, hiking, swimming, hay rides or taking in a local rodeo. Evenings on the ranch are spent sharing stories over the campfire or soaking in the hot tub. However adventurous you choose to be, we’ll be sure your stay with us is unforgettable.

Ranch History

Hiram and John Mahoney (brothers) and their families

homesteaded first in Centennial Valley between Spearfish and Deadwood then moved to this homestead south of Alva in 1886. They came from Magnolia, Iowa. One of the original homestead certificates is displayed in “The Homestead” room and is dated 1904 and signed by President Theodore Roosevelt. The story is that after starting their original homestead in South Dakota, the brothers noticed that to find plentiful game animals they were traveling further into the hills to hunt. The area that seemed richest in game also had the best vegetation. They eventually uprooted and moved to this site where they had done most of their hunting. And this, of course, is still a factor as our wildlife numbers and variety are unequaled. They brought with them registered Hereford cattle, registered Belgian horses and chickens. The original log cabin built here was constructed with Ponderosa pine logs from the adjacent hill from the present home site and skidded down with oxen teams. The cabin still exists at ranch headquarters and it is easy to see the ax marks in the roughhewn logs. John and his family homesteaded at the neighboring (now Rauth Ranch). Hiram and his family had the adjoining ranch 2 miles further up Lame Jones Road. Hiram was married first to Belle Tuttle and later to Orah McClendon. From these marriages, 7 children were born. One of them being Jay Smith Mahoney who ranched here after his Dad (Hiram) passed away in 1920. Jay married Lorene Gray and they had 5 children. Their oldest son, Gerald Jay Mahoney with his wife Betsy (Owen) Mahoney, continued the ranching tradition until he sold the ranch to his daughter and son-in-law in 2008. Beth (Mahoney) and Pat Reilly operate the ranch today with their son, Sam.

The ranch has grown from several homestead parcels to its present size of 10,000 acres. Much of this growth occurred when Hiram bought out other neighboring homesteads as they failed. Many of the pastures bear the names of the families who hopefully put down roots here only to see that it was too difficult to make a living on these small tracts of land. More substantial growth came later as Gerald and Betsy (Owen) Mahoney bought several sizable neighboring ranches and added much to the size and versatility of the present ranch. The Diamond Seven Bar name is taken from a livestock brand that Gerald bought and began using. The original ranch brand was HR, initials of Hiram Mahoney. That brand is still registered in the Mahoney name.

Steeped in history and heritage, The Diamond Seven Bar Ranch, continues the ranching tradition started those four generations back. Much blood, sweat, tears, laughter and song is mixed with the soil of this place and it stands as testimony to the hard work and big dreams of the Mahoney family (and many families like ours). If you ask, you will hear stories of children dying of diphtheria (two in one day), pranks played on school marms in the one-room schoolhouse on the property, a double murder that ended in a hanging, the breaking of the locoed horse, and the list goes on. Or you can sit and let the burbling of Lame Jones Creek, the song of the red-winged blackbirds and the wind in the Ponderosa Pines tell you their story. One thing is for sure – adventure awaits. Let our history add to yours – become part of our story.

About Us

Beth Reilly

I am the oldest of three children born to Gerald and

Betsy (Owen) Mahoney and the only girl. I have lived on the Diamond Seven Bar Ranch all of my life, except for time at college and couple years teaching school in Nebraska and here in Wyoming. I was born in 1966 and I remember not having electricity or running water in our house. When I was three, Mom and Dad built the headquarters building, as it now stands. I have many memories of growing up here on the ranch and I learned all the things a rancher should know from mending fences, training horses, driving tractors and farming, getting a quick meal together when unexpected company comes, helping cows calve, pulling porcupine quills out of the dog’s nose, getting the eggs from the chickens, etc… I always dreamed that I would own the ranch and now that dream has come true for me. I love this life with its fresh air, independence, and challenges. It means a lot to me to have so much of my family’s heritage tied up here and I love the old stories. I am best working with the horses and cattle and enjoy that work the most. I love to dance and I do play the guitar (somewhat poorly). I like the older cowboy and country western songs. Pat, my husband, and I pastor a small church in Hulett and so every Sunday that we are home we attend/preside there. Sam, our only child, was born in 2004 and has been the joy of our lives. I function as the CEO of Pat and my enterprises – which keeps me busier than I would like. But, when I can I sneak out and ride, ride, ride.

Sam Reilly

I am the only child of Pat and Beth (Mahoney) Reilly.

I was born in 2004. I lead a charmed life! I like living on the ranch and if it were up to me I would never leave. I traveled a lot, in my younger years, with my Mom all over the country and I have decided I like to stay home. I take care of the chickens and feed the cats. I also run the Company Store, a gift shop located in the main ranch house. Mom and Dad say I am a hand on a horse and I spend many hours with them in the summer working cattle and riding in the tractor haying. I like it when we pack a lunch and eat outside. I also like to fish in our pond and to camp out. Last year, I saved enough money from working to buy an ipad and I love playing games on it. Playing video games is my favorite thing. I go to school in Hulett, 13 miles away, and I ride a bus to get there.

Pat Reilly

I was born in Brookings, South Dakota in 1965 and am the youngest of three boys. I have a teaching degree and I was a college wrestler. I am not a ranch native, but I have grown to love this lifestyle. I met Beth in high school and if I wanted to see her I had to come work out here at the ranch – Gerald’s orders – that was over 30 years ago now. I have been here ever since. I like working with my hands and the satisfaction of doing a job well. I learned from Gerald, Beth’s Dad, many things like fencing and equipment repair. Some stuff I had to learn on my own or phone a friend. The farming has been a lot like that. I enjoy the wildlife at the ranch the most. There is nothing like seeing the first fawn in the spring, watching the wild turkey’s strut, witnessing a buck deer rub the velvet off their horns, hearing the crash of elk fighting or seeing the numerous bald eagles that live here in the winter. I have been so close that a cow elk has licked my cheek! I am in charge of managing the wildlife on the ranch and I also function as the CFO of Beth and my enterprises. Being the CFO of Beth is a BIG job!

A Note from the CEO and CFO (Pat and Beth) about “The Crew”

The heritage of The Diamond Seven Bar Ranch is built on the ideology of big dreams, hard work and integrity. You will see those ideas echoed in our literature, our life and our work. Pat and I knew that we had big dreams and those dreams would not be possible without exceptional people who shared our values to work with us. Those people have gravitated to us and our dreams and added dimensions and richness that we could not have imagined ourselves. You will see them listed below and will be able to read a bit about them. We want you to know that they are the best of the best and exceptional beyond exception. Without them, sharing the Ranch with you would not be possible.

The Crew

Guest Services Manager – Kendra Meidinger

I grew up on a family ranch not too far from the Diamond 7 Bar, then left the area after high school to explore the states before returning to my roots. I attended college at Black Hills State University and graduated with a degree in Outdoor Education. After college I worked as a park ranger at Devils Tower and later for the Wyoming Office of Tourism which led me to the Diamond 7 Bar Guest Ranch. Pat and Beth have been long time mentors and friends and the opportunity to work with them was a no-brainer. I will likely be your first contact at the ranch, I’ll take your reservation, check you in, cook you meals, and take you horseback riding. When I’m not taking caring of guests, I’m spending time with my husband Trampas, and chasing after our two daughters, Jilian and Aubrey.

Head Wrangler – Becca Shelbourn

I was born in the south and was raised all over this great country. I went to college in South Dakota to be closer to family and fell in love with the rolling hills and beautiful prairie. My first experience with horses was when I was 3 years of age and I haven’t wanted to be without them since. Growing up I showed in dressage and hunter jumper but I did not get to experience the western style of riding until I moved to South Dakota. Now my interest lies with roping and barrel racing and just good old ranch work. I’ve been a wrangler for several years now and love every minute. My two side kicks are Jaguar and Nevada. Both are cow ponies born and raised in South Dakota. When I’m not with the horses I run my own business, Rockin R Images. Which keeps me busy photographing everything under the sun including weddings, portraits, events, and marketing.

Wrangler/Guide – Trampas Meidinger

I am from South Dakota, and have lived most of my life in the Black Hills. I’ve worked as a heavy equipment operator for many years and am currently working in the “oil patch,” but my passion lies in hunting and ranching. My days off are spent on the ranch, either giving horseback rides, guiding hunters, fixing fence, or working with machinery. I am Kendra’s other half, when I’m not at the ranch, I’m gearing up for hunting season and getting in time with the family.

Office Manager for Giant Rubber Water Tanks- Ed Reilly (Uncle Ed)

Ed is Pat’s brother, and the office manager for Pat and Beth’s other business, Giant Rubber Water Tanks. He also helps out with just about any aspect of the guest ranch. He’s been the cook, the cleaner, and the entertainment. Ed’s got a voice for old time country music and loves to share it. You’ll see Ed around the ranch house, feel free to stop in and tell him hi, he’s always up for a good visit.